Sint-Niklaas (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Sinterklaas welcomed 20,428 visitors at the House of Sinterklaas in Sint-Niklaas. City council keeps the Salons building, budgets €1.5 million for renovations. The main figures are Geert Vandenhende, Mayor Lieven Dehandschutter, and Alderman Ghizlane Benabdellah.
As GVANews reported, Sinterklaas and his helpers welcomed their last visitors on Saturday, Dec 6, 2025, at the House of Sinterklaas on Stationsstraat in Sint-Niklaas. The festive attraction closed for the season after weeks of activity. Children and families came to meet the saint, share their wishes, and receive gifts.
What will happen to the House of Sinterklaas in Sint-Niklaas after 20,000 visitors?
At the same time, Sinterklaas received an important gift from the Sint-Niklaas city council. After years of debate about the historic Salons building, the council confirmed that it will remain under city ownership. Plans to sell the building have been permanently cancelled. The House of Sinterklaas will continue to serve as the saint’s official summer residence.
“The biggest gift this year is for Sinterklaas himself,”
says Geert Vandenhende, chairman of the Flemish Sint-Nicolaas Society.
Organisers of the House of Sinterklaas said their preference has always been the Salons building. They explored several other locations over the past few years, but they found that their events work best here. With the future now secured, organisers said they can expand their plans, make changes, and develop new ideas for the attraction.
“Due to the strikes, we had slightly fewer school visits this year, but that was more than offset by a higher number of free visits. We look back with more than our share of satisfaction,”
says Geert.
Over the past 4 weeks, a total of 20,428 visitors came to the building on Stationsstraat. To keep the building in good condition, the city announced a major renovation project. A budget of €1.5 million has been set aside for structural work, interior upgrades, and other necessary repairs.
“We want to ensure that Sinterklaas and his helpers can move into a decent home next year as well,”
say Mayor Lieven Dehandschutter (N-VA) and Alderman for the City of Sinterklaas, Ghizlane Benabdellah (Vooruit).
“The plumbing and technical facilities will be renovated, as will the roof of the Sinterklaas House.”
The De Salons building at Spratzensstraat in the Town of Sint Niklaas was originally constructed for textile dealer Edmond Meert in 1928. In addition to being used as a well-known banquet hall during the middle of the 20th Century, also referred to as “Salons Carlton,” the property has gone through many different uses throughout its history.
On October 1, 1985, the property was acquired by the City of Sint Niklaas, and in January of 2004, it was converted to act as the seasonal attraction for tourists as the “House of Sinterklaas”. The city announced plans to sell De Salons in 2022.”
